Need help with Ampeg amp!!!

I recently bought an older Ampeg SVTIII Pro head, and a new Ampeg 410-HLF cabinet. I'm having problems with my higher notes coming through with a tad bit of distortion. Anyone have any clues why this is happening or had the same thing happen to them. Any input would be greatley appreciated!

I set mine to drive/distort just a bit... but that's pretty much accross the the entire range of the instrument, not just the high notes. I'd look at the instrument first. Are the pickups closer to the strings on the treble side? Second, I'd look at the EQ settings, are you boosting the frequencies that are distorting? After that... well I'm out of ideas. Good luck.

I have no idea how old the tubes are and the gain isnt cranked. I really don't have the bass in it turned up because im in an apartment, but all the low notes are great sounding. I'm starting to think either my pickups need some looking into or I'm not letting the tubes heat up enough

Does you bass have active pups? If so make sure you engage the -15db switch on the SVT. I had the exact same issue with my MMSR5 and my SVT II Pro - once that -15db switch was engaged, all unwanted distortion went away. And I say, "unwanted" because I can still achieve a great, "tube distortion" via gain and drive.

BTW Jerrold - you guys at SLM are great! Helped me tons with my amp. And I think I can see your shop on Borman from here in the Centerpoint building! As a matter of fact, I just looked over that way and I can definietly see that shop from here. LOL

Another aside for Jerrold - I really need to recover my 810e - it has gone through hell and back and the tolex is completely shredded. Any recommendations? I have heard of a certain paint or even using truck-bed liner - and of course, simply replacing the tolex... but I have no experience at all with this... any suggestions or advice?

Ok all is fixed, turns out it was my horn that was about to take a dump. Still had 1 day left in my 30 day return policy so took it back and got another new cabinet. Now everythings peachy. Thanks alot guys for all your input so quick!

Jerrold - thanks for the tolex tips - that is what I figured. I will need to find a friend who has some experience with this and get help. A bunch of my friends used to work at SLM - back in the day... I am sure they may remember their tolexing skills...

Centerpoint building is that big old Blue and Gray building that overlooks Hooters - From my window I can see both SLM and Hooters - best of both worlds, huh?

I had the same rig once upon a time and similar problems. One time the problem was dust in the tweeter, easily fixed with a good clean. Second time I believe it may have been the bias drift that Jerrold mentioned. Symptoms with mine were that the distortion was particularly noticable on notes above the 10th fret or so. The distortion was there with any cab and also when pluging an active bass directly into the effect return (ie bypassing the preamp). Couldn't get it repaired satisfactorily & had to let it go.